Taipei Marathon RR

Once again, I found myself thankful to have made it to starting line of the Taipei Marathon (Fubon). Standing at the start of any race with thousands of runners is a truly special, but all the more so if you are facing 26.2 miles. I am well trained, and I feel ready.

I woke up 3 hours ago and had breakfast. A sweet potato and a bagel; afterwards, I felt full. I had also planned to eat something light 90 minutes before the start, but I forgot.

Was that my stomach that just rumbled? I didn’t feel hungry, but I did the only thing I could do. I had a GU. Chocolate Outrage.

A local Rock Star Named Wu Bai warmed up the crowd of well over 50K for the full, half, 9K, and family run. 68 degrees and steady rain. I suppose it could be worse.

Go.

I pushed Beavis’ button as I shuffled across the starting line. (Beavis is my garmin) Slower runners were in my way as a 9:40 mile pace lit my screen. I had to speed up. I started to weave the crowd when I heard a familiar voice. Amazing! There is my 62 Y.O. running buddy under a thin poncho hood. I waved as I zoomed past. He sped up and yelled at me “zheme neme kuai.” I don’t understand a lot of Chinese, but that clearly meant, ”slow down you idiot!” Truly a running buddy. I tried. First Mile 8:09

Yes, too fast. My goal pace is 8:15. I was hoping for something around 8:30 that first mile, but wow, running was so easy. The current lap pace reflected 7:40 early in mile two. Dude was right, I am an idiot. I slowed down as much as I could. 2nd Mile: 8:05

It was hard to keep the pace above 8. I poached some advice from SeniorRunner and carried my own water bottle to avoid crowd at that 1st water table. It worked. I flew by the gaggle. 3rd, 4th Mile: 8:08, 8:13.

I’m finally settling down. I flipped the page on Beavis and saw a 162 Heart rate. Oh-OH, that is at the top end of my range. I tried to slow. I really did. Another water station was in sight, so I figured I was close enough to 5 to have GU. I chased it with water from said water bottle and sky-hooked both empties into the last garbage can.

Time to take stock of my situation. I felt great, and I was almost at the point where the half separated from the full. This is my second Marathon. I ran this same one a year ago, and I remember struggling with the goal pace right from the get go. (9 minute miles last year) Not today. I can hardly contain myself as we peeled off the downtown grid and entered the riverside park. The next 16 miles are where I’ve trained. 5th, 6th, 7th Miles: 8:10, 8:12, 8:14.

Straight into the wind for the next 4 miles, but it was more of a nuisance than anything. Pacing was easy and spot on. I had my second GU at the about 9.5. It felt so good to be out here running, and I was having a great race. Everything was going according to plan. There were quite a few photographers. I posed for some, but mostly I just ran. I felt a lot better than I looked here. 8th, 9th, 10th Miles: 8:19, 8:12, 8:19

This particular photographer was pretty smart, he camped under an overpass.

Seriously, I ran 10 miles already? I passed a few runners as we climbed a bridge ramp to cross the Keelung River, yes, the very same river that took the lives of so many grey mullets during the dog days of last summer. I doubt anyone remembers, but then again, no one shared in that stench. Wait, I bet Willie Teng remembers. How about a Fubon RR, Will? 11th, 12th, 13th Miles: 8:14, 8:08, 8:16.

I crossed the half way point in 1:48 or so. Nice. I felt absolutely fantastic. The miles were flying by, and I started to strategize. I decided to stay calm and in this pocket until I crossed the river again at mile 18, then I’d try to drop the pace to 8:05. Yes indeed, this was my day. 14th, 15th Miles: 8:14, 8:15.

Shortly after mile 15 I’d noticed a strange sensation in my legs. I never felt it before, and it was weird feeling. It felt like a really long, single shiver, or something like that…….I didn’t put much thought into it. I ran up a slight incline, and then I started into the steepest decent of the race. 30 yards of steep--just 30 yards. I practiced flitting down this one many times during training, and I was happy to see the camera crew at the bottom. Time to fly.

Wham. Cramp. Left Hamstring. Here is me thinking “WTH was that?”

The cameras disappeared, and I slowed way down. I may have walked a little. I’d never experienced an actual cramp while running before, and I did not know what to do. The cramp let up, but pain remained.

I decided then and there to run through it. 16th Mile: 8:32.

My left hamstring started to calm down, and I thought maybe, just maybe, the hill was the culprit. What else could it be? A car tried backing over me and my scooter the day before, but that accident left a Charlie Horse in the other leg. I just kept running at something close to a 9:00 pace for a half mile or so. My goal time was 3:40, so I had some time banked. I sped up a little, and I hoped for the best. Mile 17: 8:44

Just when I thought I could salvage my race, my other hamstring (the right) cramped. OK, it is official. I hit the wall. 16 miles in, and I bonked. You know what I thought of for motivation? Ryan Hall. I have no idea why, but I said to myself, “I am not Ryan Hall.” Now please, I mean no disrespect to Ryan Hall, but I could not get that thought out of my mind as I finished miles 18, 19, and 20 in 8:36, 8:34, and 8:35. My right and left hamstrings took turns cramping, and Ryan Hall helped me perfect my own Zombie shuffle. Thanks Ryan. Honestly, I am a fan, but we are different. 8:30 ish pace, I’ll take it. I was even able to tip my hat to a photographer.

Things took a turn for the worse after mile 20. It was time for my calves to entered the fray. My zombie shuffle would keep me moving through a hamstring cramp, but a flaring calf stopped me in my tracks every time. This middle 16 miles looped both sides of the Keelung riverside, so I passed the same photographer at 21 as I saw at about 9. I’m surprised to see that I looked about the same, but I had the prized scrunchy this time around. 21st, 22nd, 23rd Miles--- 9:05, 9:18, 9:14

Apparently, each cramping muscle group adds 15 seconds per mile. At least my muscles had the decency to cramp individually.

5K left. I now realize that I’ve got a good chance of finishing, and the math is easy. 9 minute miles gets me pretty close to 3:45. I ran 4:13 last year, and I’d probably keep at this running thing if I can break 4 hours today. 3:40 was out the window, but I could still set my sights on 3:45. (OK, I will come clean, although I’m a little ashamed to admit it. At one point I gave up 3:45 and settled on 3:46:xx—hey, I may never get another chance….)

I’m sure the cramps hurt, but I had long since disconnected myself from my legs. I’d worked too hard these past 4 months to DNF, and I told myself over and over that I was going to lay it all out today. There are two possible outcomes to the Bonk or Glory mantra. I went for it, and you can’t blame a guy for trying.

I think I caught a bit of a second wind during mile 24. My calves quit cramping, the rain let up a little, and I pushed the pace as much as I could. I even managed to fly.

Miles 24, 25 9:11, 9:07.

I was on track for 3:45:xx, and then disaster hit. With 1.5 miles to go, the course dives underground into THE TUNNEL. No more rain, no more wind, and my legs realized the change before my mind. I’m running along, minding my own business when I realize I’m landing only on the ball of my right foot. Calf, Hamstring, and quad worked together to contort my form into one strange hobble. I had to stop in the middle of the tunnel. *%&^& I had to stop. There was an 15 foot opening between traffic lanes, and I couldn’t help but notice all the cars going the other way. No rain, no wind, and exhaust billowing from the other lane. Lovely. I plodded along.

I was overjoyed to hit the hill at the end of the tunnel and escape into the rain and wind. The damage was done, though. Mile 26: 10:01.

My garmin previously known as Bartman measured this course at 26.5 miles last year, and I’d realized Beavis was going to measure the same 5 miles ago.

I turned for home and finished the last half mile in about 5 minutes. I was happy as a clam as I approached the finish line. Honestly, I felt like I was stealing a sub-4 as I approached the mat.

True to form, my calf gave me one last clench for the camera.

Yes, I was that poor soul who had to stop 5 yards before the finish. Seemed fitting, but it didn't hurt. Nothing did.

I crossed paths with the overall winner as I hobbled towards my scooter on my way home. He graciously accepted my request for a photo. I recognized a little hitch in his step as we parted ways, and I somehow felt on the same level as an elite athlete.

You just have to love our sport.

Here are my splits. My apologies if I was overly dramatic--It doesn't really look so bad here--As far as bonking goes, I suppose this was just your garden variety. I left my heart rate data there just to remind me of my stupidity. Next time, under 160 before the half way mark... and fuel better...and no charlie horses.

I'm sure the cramps really sucked and you were disappointed that they prevented you from achieving your A goal, but when the crap hits the fan is when you figure out what you're really made of, what you have deep inside. And you, my friend, showed to yourself and to us that you totally kick arse! I'm so impressed with your level of effort in this race, something I will channel the next time I get to that bad bad place in a race. Thanks for the inspiration! And cool pic with the winner!

Nice work. You are crazy tough and I love that you absolutely would not give up. Great post! Congrats on the huge PR! Great photo with the winner too, but I think you're the real winner for pushing through (in good time too!).

All those physical obstacles and you still getting a huge PR! Its almost discouraging and encouraging all at the same time. I think you and the winner of the race might have more in common than just a limp, you both know how to get it done! Congratulations.

Double duce, nice work my brother. I keep up with you mostly because you are always keeping up with me and I enjoy that. I am amazed at the determination you exhibited in this race and still managed to keep a PR of 25min... Simply amazing my friend. Well done. Great job. Wow!!! I stand amazed at your ability to continue when most (myself included) would have certainly thought and most likely quit. I have a dream to run Boston once a point in time. Perhaps the running gods will shine on us and we can run it together...but don't wait on me. You are way out in front and I am tracking you down...

Man, that PR is huge!!! Way to channel Ryan Hall for inspiration, you just never know what will pop into your head during races, that is funny. All that, and in the rain too, sounds bacon worthy to me!!!

Great job in finishing and for a fantastic PR! I've had a couple of marathons go wrong at about the 17 mile point, it's a pretty rough thing to happen but you finished really in spite of the legs going on strike.

I can so relate to that cramping, and yours came earlier than mine did. But you remembered the #1 rule of marathoning--just keep moving forward--and came through with a gutsy effort. Congratulations on an excellent time and a major improvement! What's more, you proved what kind of outstanding shape you were in, and how fast you're capable of going when the unexpected doesn't hit.

Dude, you ran a 25 minute PR AND you had BOTH legs not cooperating? Yeah, it might have not been your A goal, but seriously impressive nonetheless. And I don't fault you for thinking of Ryan Hall. It totally makes sense to me.

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